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Whether your motivation is sentimental or merely a matter of curiosity, determining if a vase is a genuine antique is necessary to establish value, understand proper care and to get the piece insured. Five steps, ranging from inspecting the exterior for distinctive markings to consulting a professional, can help you pinpoint the approximate age of your vase.

Check the Bottom

Gently flip the vase over so you are looking directly at its bottom, and scan for distinctive signatures or logos. Such marks often include the name of the company that manufactured the vase, as well as the name of its designer or artist. This maker's mark may be painted on the vase's bottom or appear in the form of an engraving. Because manufacturers varied the signatures to represent different years, you can research the corresponding year once you find a discernible manufacturer's mark.

Identify the Mark

Once you find it, you can usually identify the maker's mark using an Internet search engine. A reverse image search -- in which you upload a picture of the mark and the results yield related images from around the web -- is helpful if you have trouble describing the mark. Kovels and Antique Marks contain comprehensive listings of well-known maker's marks.You can also inquire at your local bookstore or order an antique marks glossary, such as Miller's Antique Marks.

Inspect the Composition

The proliferation of reproductions -- and, unfortunately, counterfeits -- can create confusion when trying to approximate the age of a vase. However, you can look for several indicators to determine if your vase is an original. Since most truly old vases were created using wood-based kilns that lacked temperature controls, small imperfections were inevitable. Alternately, modern gas-based kilns rely on mass production using molds. As a result, variations and imperfections are uncommon.

Coarseness along the mold mark, crackling or bubbles in glass, asymmetry of shape and a strong luster or iridescence are a few telltale signs that your vase is the real deal instead of a reproduction or forgery.

Look for an Overmark

An overmark is precisely what it sounds like: a mark placed over the manufacturer's original mark.To see if your vase bears one, you'll once again need to carefully turn it over and examine the bottom. Smudging of the original maker's mark is a common byproduct of the glazing process used to seal overmarks and, as such, hints at authenticity. Since this technique was used on vases made from 1880 to 1930, you can date your vase to this range if you find an overmark.

Get an Appraisal

Because forgeries can be difficult for the untrained eye to distinguish, the most foolproof way to find out if your vase is a genuine antique is to take it to a qualified expert in the antiques field. To find an appraiser in your area, visit the Appraisers Association of America website and click on the "Find an Appraiser" tab to search by name, location or specialization.

You can also take your vase to a reputable antiques dealer, although seeking a certified appraiser's valuation ensures no conflict of interest exists -- an appraiser cannot offer to buy an item he or she appraised, unlike an antiques dealer.

About the Author

A native of Charleston, S.C., Julie Sprankles has been writing professionally since 2003. She received a double Bachelor of Arts in English and communications from Charleston Southern University. Formerly editor-in-chief at award-winning shelter publication "Charleston Home + Design Magazine," Sprankles now enjoys writing and editing full-time.

Photo Credits

Anna Quaglia/iStock/Getty Images

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Sprankles, Julie. "How to Check to See if a Vase Is Very Old." Home Guides | SF Gate, http://homeguides.sfgate.com/check-see-vase-very-old-105673.html. 10 August 2015.

Sprankles, Julie. (2015, August 10). How to Check to See if a Vase Is Very Old. Home Guides | SF Gate. Retrieved from http://homeguides.sfgate.com/check-see-vase-very-old-105673.html

Sprankles, Julie. "How to Check to See if a Vase Is Very Old" last modified August 10, 2015. http://homeguides.sfgate.com/check-see-vase-very-old-105673.html

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